Parmele honored with game ball, but it comes at a price

For gutting out a groin injury Sunday against Tennessee, Jaguars running back Jalen Parmele was awarded a game ball by coach Mike Mularkey.

What he could also receive is a trip to the operating table.

Placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Parmele said in the Jaguars’ locker room Wednesday he sustained a partially torn groin muscle and he will visit a specialist next Wednesday to determine if he needs surgery.

Parmele was injured on his first carry, but returned in the second quarter and played before aggravating the injury early in the fourth quarter.

“It was holding up pretty well — there were a few movements that aggravated it but straight-line running wasn’t too bad until I got hit pretty [hard] on the last carry,” he said. “I don’t think it got hurt worse [by returning to the game]. I had it wrapped up pretty tight and was keeping it loose.”

Parmele began the year as the third-team running back, but worked his way to starter status the last two games, rushing 32 times for 125 yards.

“You’re thankful for the opportunity to go out and play and it’s unfortunate that it happened, but that’s part of the game,” he said.

Cox, Lane, Alualu sit

In addition to running back Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) and center Brad Meester (foot/day off), three players injured in the Tennessee game did not practice for the Jaguars: cornerback Derek Cox (hamstring), defensive end Austen Lane (foot) and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu (calf).

Mularkey wouldn’t rule out Jones-Drew for a sixth consecutive game, saying he is “probably very questionable.” Jones-Drew hasn’t practiced since getting injured Oct. 21 at Oakland.

Fullback Greg Jones (thigh) was limited in practice. He has missed four consecutive games. Cornerback Rashean Mathis (groin) was also limited.

Lane missed his first practice since making his season debut in Week 4 against Cincinnati and Alualu missed his first full workout since Oct. 3. Early in the year, he was given a few Wednesdays off to help his surgically repaired knee.

Mularkey said Alualu could practice Thursday but Lane would probably wait until Friday. If Lane can’t go, he could be replaced in the starting lineup by new pickup Jason Babin.

Etc.

Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert was in the locker room late Wednesday morning after undergoing left (non-throwing) shoulder surgery on Tuesday. … P Bryan Anger has 28 punts of 50 yards or longer, a single-season record for the Jaguars. He broke the mark of 25 set by Bryan Barker. … Buffalo had 20 players on its injury report. The Bills were fined $20,000 by the NFL earlier this year by leaving Mario Williams off the report despite a sprained wrist.

Whoever is responsible for clearing him to go back into the game deserves a punch in the jaw. Jennings was actually playing well and there was no need to put an obviously gimpy Parmele back in. This led to further injury and sent the young man to injured reserve and possible surgery. There are some real knuckleheads on the Jags sideline, from the coaching staff on down. If this were a doctor's office they'd be sued for malpractice. Instead I suppose Parmele will end up with an injury settlement if he does not come back next year. What a bunch of goons.